Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1887-05-21
A VACANT SEE.

A VACANT SEE.
III reports be true, Bishop Keane,
of the Richmond Diocese, which in
cludes st. Joseph's Church of this
place, will resign to assume the man.
agement of the new American Uni
verslty, to be established at Wash.
ingtOn. Who his successor will be,
is not known, though the names Of
the present Vicar General and DR..
OConnell are mentioned. The latter
is Rector of the American College at
Rome. He belonged to the Rich.
mond Diocese and was pastor at
Winchester when called to attend
the late Plenary Council of Balti-
more, becoming its Secretary and
going to Rome with its proceedings,
where in acknowledgment of his
services be received the distinguish.
ed appointment he now holds. In
the choice of a Bishop men are
selected of marked virtue and ability,
Learning, sanctity and faithful
service in the cause of religion,
though piety and humility alone are
cardinal virtues sufficient for ecclesi.
astical recognition. The selection is
not confined to place or person.
The pride and generosity display
ed by the people of Martinsburg in
their love and appreciation of honors
worthily bestowed upon q fellow.
citizen, in any walk of life, prompts
as to 60 ont of our way, and to say
in connection with the above sub.
ject that Rev. H.J McKeefry, of St.
Joseph's Church, is one of the most
successful and beloved pastors in the
Diocese of Richmond. In his absence
in Europe we may say whathis we'll
known aversion to public notice and
his high sense of modesty and pro.
priety would preclude expression for
fear of offending in his presence
The more sincere is our humble tri.
butte to his worth, since no higher
aspiration enters his mind than the
conscientious performance of his
ministerial duties. From the time
of his ordination his labors have
been in poor parishes, where want
of church improvements were a
source of great anxiety, in all of
which his labors have been crowned
with unusual success; congrega.
tons under his management have
been enlarged and strengthened,
schools established, and debts paid
Oft. Personally, he is dignifed in
action and appearance, yet affable
and wellliked by all with whom he
meets. While firm in the right, he
is prudent and generous to fault,
and possesses a sound judgment,
with practical business ideas so
necessary to success in the discharge
of any executive trust. Besides he
is thoroughly American in thought
and sympathy, and understands the
wants of our people and the laws
and customs that govern our institu-
tons. lii &C., .ls /. .a
Rev. Ell. j. McKeefry comes of a.
family that has given able workers
to the church in Ireland and America.
His own labors have not been un-
recognized nor unappreciated, for
he is held in high esteem by his
superiors, and in all his years of
service has the first word OF admoni.
ton or disapproval to receive from
his Bishop. Among the clergy of
the Diocese he has none but admir-
ers, and no warmer personal friends
than the Bishops of Wheeling,
Mobile and Savannah. III The first
visit of Bishop O'Sullivan after his
conservation was to st. Joseph's
Church, Martinsburg. where 81 he
preached, as will be remembered !;
and had circumstances demanded,
and the Diocese of Richmond been
willing to dispense with the services
Of so promising prelate, the new
Bishop of Mobile would have welcom-
ed no one mora heartily to the most
important Office IN his Diocese, than
his friend and fellow-seminarian,
Rev. Hugh j. McKeefry.
The very thought Of Martinsburg
filing the vacant throne seems i'm.
probable, yet some Of her sons are
now wearing the purple. The move.
ments of Providence are sometimes
mysterious, and whether the reward
of true merit be in this world or in
the one to come, the expression of
appreciation however humble, in
connection with station so exalted,
is none the less Just and deserving.